A suspect led authorities on a high speed chase through a residential area last Thursday night before crashing.

George Huie, 48, of Blountstown, was airlifted to Bay Medical Center in Panama City with critical injuries following the single vehicle accident.

According to Capt. Adam Terry of the Blountstown Police Department, Ofc. Tony Golden and Ofc. Jeffery Stewart were on a call at a convenience store on the east end of SR 20 in Blountstown around 9 p.m. A 2005 Mitsubishi entered the parking lot, nearly striking a diesel pump. The vehicle then took off heading west on Central Avenue with no lights.

Ofc. Golden pursued the car, following as it turned onto Pear Street at a high rate of speed. Ofc. Golden attempted to get the driver to stop, but he continued speeding, ran a stop sign at the corner of South Pear and Sherry Avenue, then crashed at the intersection of Azalea and Pear. Ofc. Golden found the driver and sole occupant, George Huie, laying behind the vehicle.

Trooper Dallas Jones of the Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash and noted the passenger side of the vehicle collided with a utility pole and water main.

After the crash, the car was reported stolen. Charges are pending against Huie.